Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening played host to one of EPL’s most thrilling games as Liverpool made a dramatic chase to pull a draw against a difficult team, Manchester City.
Fans all over the world enjoyed the speed, intensity and character of both clubs’ fantastic ball play. It was an amazing display of brilliant football from the English staple and the 2-2 draw was incredible for both sides.
Man City started with cruising speed and scored early from De Bruyne while Liverpool’s exhilarating courage enabled them to equalize through jota 8 minutes after. City in their character kept pressing the pedal and Jesus converted another tricky chance to give the home team lead into the dressing room.
The second half came with a shocker to City as Sadio Mane made a superb finish from Mo Salah’s brilliant pass at the 46th minute.
The 2-2 draw still has the EPL’s top contenders separated by 1 point. Liverpool had pushed and aimed to win after Mane’s equaliser. They came into the match with 10 unbeaten games. But they can only go as far as Man City quality can allow.
Virgil van Dijk after the match hoped his team do not always come from behind with Man City. His boss, Jorgen Klopp was happy at the outcome of the clash of titans.
“It was an exceptional game of football. Two heavyweights, chomping at each other. It’s crazy the intensity. A completely different level. The concentration levels from both teams…
“What I liked the most was that in all situations we caused them problems and I felt we made a step in that department. I am happy. Would I have wanted to win the game? Yes. We have to win an awful lot of football and that doesn’t change. If there was one we could draw, it was today. We keep going.”
For Pep Guardiola, his magic spell on players arriving at Man City still keep many football followers in awe of wonders. He understands them quickly and interprets players’ best roles to fit his style of football. But after Sunday’s game against Liverpool. His impression was not unfortunate.
“It is what it is. Against that team it was almost impossible. You have to play these types of games. We are top of the table still so we have a feeling that we miss a huge opportunity to make a stamp but there are many games left.
“You are a manager for these types of games of course. The way we play these teams with those threats upfront… They are incredible. With our courage of play and the chances, we had, especially at the last minute… We defended incredibly well and created a few chances. We go forward.
“I don’t have any regrets. They can miss whatever they want. It was positive. It is football and it happens.” Guardiola told BBC Sports.
Interestingly, both teams have seven matches left to finish the season, four home matches and three away games. However, Liverpool seems to be the side with tougher sides yet to play with. They have Manchester United and Tottenham to squabble.
Manchester City has Leeds, Wolves and West Ham in away matches that seem not to bother Guardiola who is bent on winning his next European Champions League match against Atlético Madrid on 13th April 2022.
“We will relax a little bit then prepare for the Champions League.” Pep Guardiola said.
